Playing table bed and method of fabrication therefor



June 18, 1968 'r. H. LOOMIS 3,339,044

PLAYING TABLE BED AND METHOD OF FABRICATION THEREFOR Filed Feb. 21, 19663 INVENTOR. THOMAS H. LOOM/S United States Patent 3,389,044 PLAYINGTABLE BED AND METHGD 0F FABRICATION THEREFOR Thomas H. Loomis, P.O. Box71, Canton, Conn. 06019 Filed Feb. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 528,905 7 Claims.(Cl. 161-94) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bed for billiard tables andthe like comprising a slab of cementitious material molded directly tothe covering cloth therefor and a method of forming the same. The methodis characterized in that the cementitious material is formed and setdirectly against the backing surface of the cloth to ultimately coverthe bed. As a result, during formation the cementitious materialpenetrates the interstices of the backing surface of the cloth and formsa direct bond therewith. The interstices in the backing surface of thecloth also function to permit the cementitious material to breathe and,thus, result in the formation of a dense support surface for the clothfree of occluded voids.

The present invention relates to a playing table bed and a method offabrication therefor. In its more specific aspects, the invention isdirected to a bed for the playing of carom games, such as billiards, andthe method of fabricating such beds from an artificial slate-likematerial having playing cloth adhered in continuous contact with thesurface thereof.

In the billiard table art, it has been standard practice to provideprofessional quality tables with slate beds having playing clothstretched thereover. The beds in this type of table are typicallyfabricated of a plurality of slate sections meticulously joinedtogether. After this joining, the playin cloth is precisely stretchedover the bed by highly skilled workmen. Tables of this type must beinitially assembled at the location where they are used and, typically,disassembled and reassembled Whenever this location is changed. This isrequired because of the extreme weight of such tables and beds and thenecessity that the beds and the cloth stretched thereover meet precisestandards of quality. As a result, such tables prove very expensive bothin the initial installation and in maintenance. Naturally, in additionto the expense resulting from installation and maintenance, such tablesare inherently expensive because of the relatively high cost of thenatural slate beds employed therein.

Billiard tables provided with slate beds are also characterized as beingextremely heavy. This characteristic has the advantage that it providestable stability, but the disadvantage that it greatly limits tablemobility.

In an efiort to avoid the disadvantages inherent to billiard tablesprovided with slate beds, various alternative bed materials have beenemployed. These materials have taken the form of wood compositions, suchas plywood and pressed wood; plastic compositions; and, variouscementitious compositions. All of these materials have the shortcoming,however, that they are incapable of providing a playing surface ofprofessional quality. In addition, beds formed of such materials alsohave the disadvantage that they require the stretching of cloththereover subsequent to bed formation. It is here noted that theattachment of cloth so applied, regardless of the bed material, istypically effected only around the periphery of the bed. As a result,the cloth stretched over the playing surface is relatively susceptibleto tearing during billiard play.

It is, accordingly, a principal object of the present invention toprovide a playing table bed and method of fab- 3,389,044 Patented June18, 1968 ice rication therefor which overcomes the disadvantageouscharacteristics of prior art playing table beds. Another object of theinvention is to provide a playing table bed formed of a moldedcementitious material which has a playing surface of professionalquality.

A further object of the invention is to provide a playing table bedhaving playing cloth adhered in continuous contact therewith, whichcloth is thus highly tear resistant.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method offabricating playing table beds which eliminates the requirement ofapplying: playing cloth to the bed surface subsequent to formation ofthe bed. With respect to this object, it is another object of theinvention to provide a method of fabricating playing table beds incondition to be installed in table frames, without requiring machiningof the bed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method offabricating molded playing table beds from cementitious material whichemploys the playing table cloth to avoid the occlusion of voids in theplaying surface of the bed. With respect to this object, it is a relatedobject of the invention to provide a method of fabricating moldedplaying table beds which employs the playing cloth as a parting agent onthe mold.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method offorming high quality playing table beds as integral units which areadapted to be installed and moved without the employment of highlyskilled labor. With respect to this object, it is a related object ofthe invention to provide playing table beds which are relativelyinexpensive to manufacture, install and maintain.

The method of the present invention basically comprises: stretchingplaying cloth over a. platen having a smooth surface; providing a closedboundary extending outwardly from the smooth surface and around at leasta portion of the cloth stretched thereover; depositing a fluidcementitious material on the exposed surface of the cloth confined inthe boundary; setting the cementitious material to effect its hardeningand adherence to the cloth upon which it is deposited; and, removing thecloth and cementitious material integrally from the platen.

The bed of the present invention comprises, broadly, a rigid slab havinga smooth level surface; a playing cloth stretched over the slab andhaving a backing surface in continuous contact with the smooth levelsurface of the slab; and, means contiguously adhering: the backingsurface of the cloth to the smooth level surface of the slab. Thedetails of the inventive method and bed and the foregoing and otherobjects will become more apparent when viewed in light of theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, exemplifyingapparatus that may be employed in the inventive method and the formationof a bed thereby;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on a plane designated by line 2-2 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on a plane designated by line33 in FIG. 2; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a modification which may beemployed in the method exemplified by FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 10 therein designatesexemplary equipment which may be employed in practicing the inventivemethod. The equipment 10 comprises a platen 12 having a smooth uppersurface 14 with stretching and securing grooves 16 (see FIG. 2) formedtherein and extending therearound; boundary defining side boards 18 and20 movably mounted on the platen 12; and, fastening and stretchingstrips 22 and 24 adapted to be removably received in the grooves 16. Theside boards 18 and 20 are mounted on the platen surface 14 by supportbrackets 26 for movement between the solid and phantom line positionsillustrated in FIG. 2. Each of the brackets 26 comprises: a hingesupport 28 secured to the platen 12; an arm 30 pivotally mounted at oneend to the hinge support 28 and fixedly secured at the other end to theside board supported thereby; a pedestal 32 fixed to and extendingupwardly from the support 28; a clamping arm 34 pivotally mounted on thepedestal 32 for movement in a horizontal plane; and, a clamping screw 36threadably received through the arm 34. In operation of the bracket 26,movement of the side boards between the solid and phantom linesillustrated in FIG. 2 is accomplished by the following steps: looseningthe screw 36; swinging the clamping arm 34 to the phantom line position; and, swinging the arm 30 to the phantom line position. Returningthe side boards to the solid line position from the phantom lineposition is similarly accomplished by the following steps: swinging thearm 30 to the solid line position; swinging the clamping arm 34 to thesolid line position; and, tightening the clamping screw 36 intoengagement with the arm 30. Attention is here directed to the fact thattightening of the screw 36 against the arm 30 functions to force theside boards towards the surface 14 of the platen 12.

When employing the aforedescribed equipment in the practice of theinventive method, a billiard cloth 38, having a playing surface 40 and abacking surface 42 is first stretched over the platen surface 14 andsecured in place through utilization of the strips 22 and 24. The cloth38 employed in the method may be of relatively conventional nature, solong as the backing surface 42 thereof is provided with exposedinterstices. The interstices are designated by the numeral 43 and canbest be seen in the en larged view of FIG. 3. As can be seen from FIG.2, the cloth 38 is stretched over the platen 12 with the playing surface40 juxtaposed to the platen surface 14 and the backing surface 42exposed. FIG. 2 also illustrates the manner in which the strips 24 areengaged with the cloth 38 and the grooves 16. Although not illustrated,it is to be understood that the strips 22 are similarly engaged with thecloth and mating grooves in the platen. After the cloth 38 is stretchedover the platen 12, the initial set-up for the method is completed bypositioning the side boards 18 and 20 in the solid line uprightcondition illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The completion of the foregoing steps provides the initial set-up ormold for the inventive method. Specifically, a mold is provided having alower surface defined by the backing surface 42 of the cloth 38 and sideboundaries comprised of the boards 18 and 20. After the initial set-uphas been so provided, the next step of the inventive method comprisesdepositing a fluid cementitious material, designated in its entirety bythe numeral 44, within the mold. This material should be capable ofpenetrating, at least partially, the interstices 43 in the cloth 38 andsetting up to a hard state.

After the cementitious material 44 has been deposited so as to assumethe shape defined by the side boards 18 and 20, the next step of themethod comprises setting the material up to a hard state. This step is,in turn, followed by a final step which simply comprises removing thematerial and the cloth 4t integrally, from the platen 14. The latterstep is accomplished by swinging the side boards 18 and 20 to theretracted position; removing the strips 22 and 24; and, sliding orlifting the set-up cementitious material, with the cloth 33 adheredthereto, from the platen 14.

It is here noted that the setting of the cementitious material directlyon the cloth 38 functions to adhere the lower surface of the material tothe backing surface of the cloth. This results because the materialpenetrates the interstices of the cloth (see FIG. 3) prior to setting.Setting of the cementitious material directly on the cloth also has theadvantage that the cloth permits breathing of the material in contacttherewith and, thus, prevents the occlusion of voids in this material.Yet another advantageous characteristic resulting from setting of thecementi- 4- tious material directly on the cloth is that the clothfunctions as a parting agent to facilitate removal of the material fromthe surface 14 of the platen 12.

The cementitious material employed in the present invention ispreferably a magnesium oxychloride cement. This type of cement, which iscommonly known as Sorel cement has been found ideal for use in theinventive method because of the high quality surface which it provides.A preferred formulation of oxychloride cement for use in the inventivemethod is formulated as follows, per 144 cubic inches of volume thereof:

(1) 1 lb. 4 oz. MgO molecular weight 40.32;

(2) 1 qt. MgCl 231/2" Baum;

(3) 2 oz. tale;

(4) 8 oz. pozzalana; and,

(5) 2 /2 lbs. of ground silica, 100 mesh.

In the above formulation, the inclusion of pozzalana provides animproved product of greater density, surface hardness and durability.Insofar as this inclusion is concerned, it has been found that theaddition of pozzalana to the amount specified by 8 ounces creates aproportionately even harder surface.

The mixing procedure for the foregoing formulation is relativelyconventional. In this procedure, the MgO and MgCl are first combined andmixed until all dry material is a smooth mass (typically for a period offive minutes). After the MgO and MgCl are mixed, the tale and pozzalanaare then added and mixed. The mixing is then completed by addition andmixing of the silica.

Although the foregoing formulation may be used for the entire thicknessof the cementitious material employed in the inventive method, it hasbeen found preferable to use this formulation only to a thickness(typically /4 inch) suificient, upon the setting thereof to a hardstate, to resist destruction as the result of the playing of carom gameson the playing surface of the cloth. A first layer of such a thicknessis designated by the numeral 46 in the drawings. When such a first layerof limited thickness is employed, it is allowed to take on an initialset, typically in the neighborhood of 150 minutes, and then thedepositing step of the method is completed by applying a second layer ofcement over the first layer to a thickness sufficient, upon the settingthereof to a hard state, to impart support to the first layer. Thesecond layer, designated by the numeral 43 in the drawings, preferablyhas the same formulation as the aforedescribed first layer, with theaddition thereto of an amount of coarse aggregate sufficient to augmentits strength. This aggregate may take the form of any substantiallynonabsorbent material, such as quartz flakes or gravel.

When using magnesium oxychloride cement in -the inventive method, it hasbeen found that the final removal step may be effected after the cementhas taken on an initial set of approximately twelve hours at an ambienttemperature of 72 F. It is to be understood, however, that the settingtimes and temperatures may be varied, so long as the bed has hardened toa state wherein it will not be damaged by removal from the platen.

Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is illustrated a modification of theinventive method which includes forms to effect the formation of pocketsin a bed simultaneously with its molding. These forms are exemplified bya protrusion 50 secured to and extending inwardly from the side board2!). Although only one protrusion 50 has been illustrated, it is to beunderstood that any number and shape of such protrusions could beprovided on the side boards 18 and 20 to effect the formation of pocketsin a bed being molded. These pockets would typically take the form ofthose which are provided on pool tables.

To conclude, from the foregoing description it is believed apparent thatthe present invention enables the accomplishment of the objectsinitially set forth herein. In particular, a method of fabricatingbilliard table beds is provided which results in an accuratelydimensioned bed having playing cloth adhered in continuous contacttherewith. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is notintended to be limited to the specific details illustrated anddescribed, but rather as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of fabricating a bed for the playing of carom games and thelike, said method comprising:

(a) stretching playing cloth, having a backing sur face with exposedfluid permeable interstices therein capable of permitting breathingtherethrough and a playing surface opposed to said backing surface, overa platen having a smooth surface, with the playing surface of said clothin contiguous contact with the smooth surface of said platen and thebacking surface of said cloth exposed;

(b) providing a closed continuous boundary extending outwardly from thesmooth surface of said platen and around at least a portion thereof andthe cloth stretched thereover;

(c) depositing a fluid cementitious material on the backing surface ofsaid cloth within said boundary, said material being capable ofpenetrating the interstices of said surface, at least partially, andsetting to a hard state;

(d) permitting said fluid cementitious material to penetrate into theinterstices of said backing surface to form an integral contiguous bondtherewith while breathing therethrough;

(e) setting said fluid cementitious material deposited on said backingsurface to a hard state, thus adhering said material to the backingsurface of said cloth, said setting being effected without penetrationof said material through the playing surface of said cloth so that saidsurface may act as a parting agent between the platen and cementitiousmaterial; and,

(f) removing said cloth and the cementitious material adhered theretointegrally from said platen.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cementitious materialcomprises a magnesium oxychloride cement.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said cement, per 144 cubicinches of volume thereof, is formulated of:

(l) 1 lb. 4 oz. MgO molecular weight 40.32;

(2) 1 qt. MgCl 231/2 Baum;

(3) 2 oz. tale;

(4) 8 oz. pozzalana; and,

(5) 2 /2 lbs. of ground silica, 100 mesh.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cementitious materialcomprises a magnesium oxychloride ceof carom games on the playingsurface of said cloth, said layer having the following formulation per144 cubic inches of volume:

(1 1 lb. 4 oz. MgO molecular weight 40.32;

(2) 1 qt. MgCl 23l/2 Baum;

(3) 2oz. talc;

(4) 8 oz. pozzalana; and,

(5) 2 /2 lbs. of ground silica, mesh;

(b) permitting said first layer to take on an initial set; and,

(c) applying a second layer of cement to said first layer to apredetermined thickness sufiicient, upon the setting thereof to a hardstate, to impart support to said first layer, the formulation of saidsecond layer corresponding to that of said first layer with the additionthereto of a predetermined amount of coarse aggregate sufficient toaugment the strength thereof.

5. A method according to claim 1, including providing forms on saidboundary to effect the formation of pockets in said cementitiousmaterial upon the depositing thereof on the backing surface of saidcloth within said boundary.

6. A bed for playing carom games and the like comprising:

(a) a playing cloth stretched in a planar orientation and having aplaying surface on one side thereof and a backing surface on the otherside thereof, said backing surface having interstices formed therein andopening therethrough;

(b) a rigid slab having a planar surface disposed in juxtaposedcontiguous contact with the backing surface of said cloth to effect thesupport thereof; and,

(c) texture formed directly in the planar surface of said slab inintimately penetrating contact with the interstices of the backingsurface of said cloth to form a bond therewith.

7. A bed according to claim 6 wherein said slab is formulated of acomposition comprising, per 144 cubic inches of volume:

(1) 1 lb. 4 oz. MgO molecular weight 40.32;

(2) 1 qt. MgCl 231/2 Baum;

(3) 2 oz. tale;

(4) 8 oz. pozzalana; and,

(5) 2 /2 lbs. of ground silica, 100 mesh.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,055,788 9/1962 Stanhope et al.156247 2,740,162 4/1956 Knight 264-257 X 1,036,277 8/1912 Lawrenz 2738857,581 6/1907 Boyle 264314 ROBERT F. BURNETT, Primary Examiner.

M. A. LITMAN, Assistant Examiner.

